The selections made by Deans for the second Test are sensible and logical. In a previous article, I implored for a change at five eighth to Quade Cooper or Matt Toomua.
But now I believe James O’Connor is the right choice.
This is especially the case given Christian Lealiifano is cleared to play at 12 and also because Cooper and Toomua haven’t been a part of the three week training camp.
To thrust them right into the deciding Test on a weeks preparation would have backfired.
With Lealiifano cleared Australian rugby fans can finally see what the game plan leading up to the first Test really was.
O’Connor had a poor game last week because after the first minute all the pressure was on him.
Lealiifano was going to take a lot of the play-making load off O’Connor, with Barnes also sharing the work.
However the injuries to both players left O’Connor on a play-making island, having to run the back-line by himself.
This was compounded by the incorrect decision to put McCabe on as Lealiifano’s replacement. McCabe is a fantastic direct ball runner, who always gets over the advantage line, and is reliable as they come in defence.
He has the most impact off the bench in the 60 minute zone where his hard nosed style can truly make the most of a tired opposition back-line.
Putting him on in the first minute against a fresh Lions team was a bad move and he wasn’t able to be as effective as he could of been, limiting O’Connor’s ability to be creative at first receiver. Deans should of put on Kurtley Beale immediately and switched Barnes to 12 (his best position).
These points validate that the team for the second Test is a great team.
O’Connor will have Lealiifano, Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Folau to compliment him, allowing us couch coaches to really make a judgement on O’Connor’s potential at five eighth.
Tomane is about as similar to Digby Ioane in playing style to any winger in Australian rugby.
He gets heavily involved for a winger, coming in field and makes metres after contact so there won’t be a true disadvantage to Australia on that wing.
Horne on the bench is also a smart choice, he is just as good in contact as McCabe, with the added bonus of being a better ball player.
His performances this year at inside centre for the Waratahs were solid, and his Wallabies experience at outside centre provides excellent flexibility in case of further injury during the second Test.
Perhaps the selection I am most excited about is Jesse Mogg. I’m not sure exactly Deans is going to use him, or if he is going to use him, but there is hardly a more deserving player out there to get a spot.
I agree the forward pack should remain the same, they performed admirably last weekend especially in the scrum.
I happily eat my words from a previous article I wrote about Ben Alexander not going to be up to scratch come scum time but our set piece was one of the highlights for me last Saturday.
Ben Mowen, Cliff Palu and Michael Hooper all validated their positions for the second Test and our second row was immense. Stephen Moore and Benn Robinson as usual played out of their skins.
This team is extremely similar to last week’s side, who came within one missed kick of a historic victory.
Wholesale changes would have been a slap in the face to many of our players who took the field and played so well against a fantastic Lions side and the horrendous challenge of multiple injuries.
If Lealiifano can stay fit during this encounter, Australia will win the second Test.
Because if last week is anything to go by, it will come down to goalkicking once again.
The Bedouin
Guest
yeah, we did. but my negative comments aren't aimed at JOC as a player, just at JOC as a flyhalf, which he isn't. and who is the goose who keeps pushing his barrow as a flyhalf? good bye robbie, please. the forwards were magnificent again tonite. not quite as good as last week, but they got the job done
The Bedouin
Guest
+1
The Bedouin
Guest
"To thrust them right into the deciding Test on a weeks preparation would have backfired.".....how long has o'connor had to prepare??? i'm sure a REAL flyhalf wouldn't take long
The Bedouin
Guest
yeah, we did. fail again
Crazy Horse
Guest
A number 10 having to run the backline by himself (wiith Genia at 9). Oh that explains everything. Nick Cummins should be in there somewhere.
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
No more Deans, Palu, McCalman, Horne, Barnes,
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
I look forward to this series hopefully washing out some deadwood in the Wallaby setup. Hopefull Spring Tour side 1. Robinson 2. Moore 3. Alexander 4. Horwill 5. Carter 6. Higginbotham 7. Hooper 8. Mowen 9. Genia 10. Lealiifano 11. Tomane 12. Godwin 13. Kuridrani 14. Folau 15. Mogg 16. Hanson 17. Slipper 18. Sio 19. Simmons 20. Gill/MMM 21. White 22. Cooper 23. AAC/Feaui Sautia
Zac McLean
Roar Pro
i dont disagree that quade plays his best with genia beside him. but cooper had genia beside him in the vast amount of 2011 and 2012 tests and cooper played well below average. lets just see what JOC can do with these weapons around him in the second test before final judgements can be made about QC
Dave
Guest
“O’Connor will have Lealiifano, Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Folau to compliment him, allowing us couch coaches to really make a judgement on O’Connor’s potential at five eighth.” Yet you all bag the fact Quade plays best with Genia next to him. Then Deans bags Quade for Taps bad form...yet picks him a few weeks later. Bizarro world
GWS
Guest
Pardon?
stu b
Guest
zjmclean22,good positive article and Ibelieve you have it close to the mark,.Come on guys support the wallabies more positive articles please.
stu b
Guest
zjmclean22,good positive article and Ibelieve you have it close to the mark,.Come on guys support the wallabies more poitive articles please.
Zac McLean
Roar Pro
Part of being a Wallabies fan is having an unwavering, often unwarranted sense of optimism!
stu b
Guest
zjmclean22,good positive article and Ibelieve you have it close to the mark,pleased I don't have to play for leroys team,we would all be in tears before we hit the field.come on guys support the wallabies more poitive articles please
Worlds Biggest
Guest
There is enough in this squad to level up the series. However the two most contentious selections / non selections is certainly JOC at 10 and the non selection of Smith. I would have started Smith despite being underdone with Hooper on the bench. Let's hope both of these don't cost us the game.
flying hori
Guest
Has CL been tested in the International arena yet? apart from the 45secs. last saturday. It will be very interesting how he goes, hope he last this time, he certainly shows potential in SR.
Leroy14
Guest
"O’Connor will have Lealiifano, Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Folau to compliment him, allowing us couch coaches to really make a judgement on O’Connor’s potential at five eighth." Why would O'connor need these guys for us to see his potential at 5/8? Toomua did just fine without lealiifano at 12 against the lions last week. I think JOC is a great player but not at 5/8. He isn't first choice 5/8 at the rebels, Beale is. As for it being a mistake to put Toomua or QC at 5/8 cause they haven't been in camp as part of the squad, well that was the mistake weeks ago made by the selectors and deans. Toomua would do fine beside lealiifano and so too QC. These guys create plays. Genia and Beale did this for us last week. If lealiifano is such a linch pin in the so called game plan by deans then why isn't he playing at 5/8? 5/8 is the most important playmaker on the field but deans has chosen a risk in JOC cause he doesn't like QC and has his favourites playing out of position. Should the wallabies win tonight, which I think they will, it won't be because of deans great game plan. It will be because we have great talent, home team advantage and a must win attitude. Get rid of deans! Go the wallabies! -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
kombiutedriver
Guest
We will know at 9:30 tonight how successful Deans' selections and game plan was.
Justin2
Guest
Fancy a 5/8 having to run the backline on his own...
Rob G
Guest
Finally a positive article. Come on boys. Smash the soap dodgers.